A capital idea

‘I have a capital idea for next Sunday. We will take the train to Brighton, and bathe in the sea.’

‘I am afraid I cannot.’

‘You think the sea may be still too cold? We could paddle, at least. Or walk along the shore and watch the waves breaking. I always feel there is such grandeur in the sight. And the sound, too – that lion-like roar of the surf.’

‘I cannot because I am engaged. My relations wish me to go with them to the Zoological Gardens. They are anxious to see the hippopotamus.’

‘Can they not go by themselves? You have been engaged with them all week.’

‘They like to have a companion. They are not used to the bustle of London. And they are only in England for a short time, so I feel obliged to fall in with their wishes.’

‘I had been hoping we might go and see the hippo together.’

He spoke with a touch of resentment. She smiled at him over the arm of the waiter who was putting down plates of soup in front of them.

‘We can do that after they have gone back. The hippo will still be there.’